Audley vs Warumbul: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Audley and Warumbul are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26 km and 27.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Audley runs $1,279 a year cheaper than Warumbul, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,662.
Over 10 years, Audley costs about $14,700 less to run than Warumbul — the same as paying $14,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Warumbul
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Audley | Warumbul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,930 | $6,109 | -$179 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,650 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,645 | $12,924 | -$1,279 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,115 | $9,215 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Audley | Warumbul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Audley vs Warumbul (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Audley costs $1,279 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,662 in favour of Audley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Warumbul carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,115 from Audley versus $9,215 from Warumbul.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Audley cumulative | Warumbul cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,645 | $12,924 | $1,279 |
| Year 3 | $35,994 | $39,947 | $3,953 |
| Year 5 | $61,825 | $68,615 | $6,790 |
| Year 10 | $133,497 | $148,159 | $14,662 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Audley or Warumbul cheaper to live in?
Audley is cheaper to run by car at $11,645 per year versus $12,924 for Warumbul, a difference of $1,279 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Audley and Warumbul?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Audley (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Warumbul (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Audley and $1,548 in Warumbul. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Audley and Warumbul?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,930 from Audley and $6,109 from Warumbul to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Audley and $2,400 from Warumbul.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Audley and Warumbul?
At 3% annual cost growth, Audley costs a cumulative $133,497 and Warumbul costs $148,159 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,662 in favour of Audley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Audley and Warumbul is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.